Final answer:
The correct way to insert a soft suction catheter is until resistance is encountered, indicating the catheter has reached the carina, without going past the vocal cords to prevent patient harm.
Step-by-step explanation:
When suctioning a patient with a soft suction catheter, it is important to insert the catheter correctly to ensure patient safety and effective suctioning. The catheter should be inserted until resistance is encountered. This typically occurs when the catheter reaches the carina, which is at the end of the trachea where it splits into the left and right bronchi. Inserting the catheter beyond this point or past the vocal cords can cause harm to the patient. It is not suggested to insert the catheter as far as you can see or to the base of the tongue as these are not reliable indicators of the correct depth for suctioning.